I am doing some planning to purchase a Jeep. It will be used primarily as a farm vehicle but I will also use it occasionally as daily driver. Of course I will do some offroading here in Louisiana. Not serious metal breaking stuff but some mudding. My question is which year and model do I not want to get? I've heard some model years are not worth getting. Any advice is appreciated. Also what should I look for. Any particular transfer case models, axles, etc. Thanks

depends on what you want and how much you want to spend. any jeep will do what you just said. i like the older fullsize jeeps myself, in those try to avoid the quadra trac its not bad its just not the best. In cherokees (the smaller version) are a tough act to beat for all around use, in those avoid any engine but the 4.0L and like 92 back manual tranny. on the wranglers avoid the 4cyl model, thats about all i got  

if you have the money, go with 97 and newer tj, go for the six  cylinder, for get the 4, stick shift, and a dana 44 in the rear.

If you want to tinker, I would look for a cj from the late 70,s with 304 V8, with the 4 spd manual.  

of course this is advise I would be giving myself as well,  but if you really want to tinker go for an m-38. but it sounds like you want dependability, so i would stick with the 97 and newer.

later

depends on $$, but if you can find a 97+ TJ ... big improvment over the YJ.  FSJ would be cool, but man ... who can afford the gas?

I'd take a 4 cyl TJ over any earlier wrangler.  just a much better platform to start with.  coil suspension, fuel injection.  computer controlled ( so even a newbie like me can work on it ).

forget the 4??? even the 6 is a dog.  get what you can afford. if you are in doubt ... take out an I6 YJ, then any TJ.  on road or off.  make your own decision.

Pete

Donot under est. the GRANDS ZJ. test drive one .......you'll know why...  

i love my j20 she was gettin about 14 to the gallon b4 i ripped her apart for her rebuild. My dad had a wrangler 4cyl stock it didnt have enough power to get out of its own way much less anything else. and the six is a dog? 4.0l is a tough engine plenty of power and reliable i had and 89 cherokee with 185,000 miles on her before her untimely demise (a 1 ton t-boned me) or id still be driving her today.

if you can find an 86 CJ, they came with all the good stuff for thier last year. YJs have already been discussed, if it got s triangular rear role cage (CJ style), it has a carb, if its squared off (TJ style) its EFI. no bad year that I know of for TJ, but a 97 will have some unique parts mainly ascociated with the frame and wiring (hard to find when it breaks), and I believe with 2000 or later, you get a better manual tranny and no distributor to get wet. if you go real old, i think front disk brakes started around 72, a few years later, when the CJ7 came out, they got longer noses for longer engines like the 258. just a shot in the dark, but the wide trac axles, maybe 81?

Edited 12/9/2005 5:07 am by Groo (Groo7)

widetrack was started in 79 with the cherokee chief i believe. tellme if you find out for sure.  

I would suggest you go with a YJ. They're plentiful and inexpensive. Plus part are everywhere! I have a 2.5 in mine and as long as you have the 5 speed tran it's great. That said- the 2.5 would be a little weak to power mudders.
Now if you're looking for a project jeep I'd go with a CJ. The newer TJ's are nice but they have all the electronic gizmos. CJs are nice and easy-and classic.